Man City face losing Fernando AND Eliaquim Mangala to Premier League rivals

THE AGENT of Porto midfielder Fernando has claimed that his client will move to the Premier League, but Manchester City could still face a fight from the likes of Chelsea and Everton while their negotiations over Eliaquim Mangala could open the door for Arsenal to sign the defender in the summer.

Fernando looks bound for the Premier League but maybe not with Man City [GETTY]

Fernando was heavily linked with a deadline day move to City but the switch fell through, in part due to complications over a deal for teammate Eliaquim Mangala, who was set to be included in the deal.

Reports suggest that City may have already tied up a pre-contract agreement for Fernando, whose contract expires in the summer, but Juventus and Monaco are also thought to be keen on the 26-year-old given his contract situation.

However, Fernando's agent, Antonio Araujo, says that the Premier League is his clients most likely destination but says City were not alone in showing interest in his client.

Araujo told RTP: "God willing, Fernando will play in the Premier League.

"Manchester City were a strong candidate, but were not alone in the race."

Manchester City were a strong candidate, but were not alone in the race.

Fernando's agent, Antonio Araujo

It is thought that both Chelsea and Everton were interested in Fernando in January and both could make a play for the Brazilian-born midfielder before the end of the season.

Meanwhile, reports in France suggest City's deal for Mangala fell through after the Manchester club reneged on a verbal agreement to meet the player's buy-out clause.

Mangala's release clause was set at £38m, and Porto claim that City had agreed to pay that amount, only to be shocked to see the formal offer faxed through on deadline day only amounted to £31m.

Mangala's clause will still be valid in the summer but it is thought the incident could open the door for Arsenal to make a renewed bid at the end of the season with Porto now slightly weary of dealing with City.

Manuel Pellegrini could miss out on both Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala [GETTY]